BY RUTH ROBINETT
NEW YORK - The 2,300 members of the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employees (BMWE) who work at Amtrak are preparing for a possible strike against the national passenger railway. Recent negotiations between the company and the union have yielded little progress.

Earlier, the BMWE blasted Amtrak for rejecting wage recommendations from a government-appointed board and for refusing to negotiate a contract with the union under those recommendations. The wage recommendations are the same as those that were agreed to last year between the BMWE and other Class-1 railroads. Despite arguments by the union, the "presidential emergency board" did not recommend the same benefit, job security, or work rule improvements that were also part of the agreement. Instead, it recommended that these and other local issues be placed into binding arbitration for final resolution. BMWE members at Amtrak have worked without a general wage increase for more than two years. The union organizes workers who construct and maintain railroad tracks, buildings, bridges, and electrical systems that power trains.

A strike could close down service for 600,000 railroad riders and affect much of the 22,000 mile Amtrak system. Commuter trains in the Northeast Corridor - from Washington, D.C., to Boston - would be affected, as well as service in Los Angeles, San Diego, and San Francisco, Amtrak said. Also, Conrail's freight service along the Northeast corridor and local commuter service would be affected. New Jersey governor Christine Todd Whitman urged that negotiations continue, saying that a strike would be a catastrophe for New Jersey and other states in the region. She announced she had sent letters to President William Clinton, Speaker of the House Newton Gingrich, and Amtrak president Thomas Downs asking them to "take extra steps to resolve the situation."

The bulletin boards in Amtrak's crew rooms in New York are posted with statements of the BMWE, The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers (BLE), and the Transportation Communications International Union (TCIU) urging support for the track workers.

"No one wants to go on strike, but we must be prepared to strike on or after October 22, 1997 if it becomes necessary," said a letter sent to BMWE members by union officials in the region. "We have strong strike organizations on the property and in our lodges and you will be notified of the need to set up picket lines through these organizations. We must act in a disciplined and organized fashion."

The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers District 11 sent out a memo to all members regarding strike instructions. The memo stated "Passenger Engineers are not expected, nor will they be ordered to cross picket lines. BLE members will be governed as we have in the past, when fellow unions have withdrawn from service," and will honor picket lines.

At Amtrak's Sunnyside yard in Queens, New York, discussions about the upcoming October 22 deadline are everywhere. "How long can you last? Won't Congress stop it?" "It will never happen!" "We can't strike." "I'll never cross a picket line!" These statements were expressed in numerous conversations that can be overheard among workers - coach cleaners, engineers, conductors, brakemen, track workers, and others represented by various unions. P. J. Graziano, an engineer said, "I hope they get the money they want, because I don't want to go on strike. I've got bills, too." He added, "A lot of waste goes on here. The company says it can't pay wage increases, but they should pay those guys first before `upgrading equipment.' " Stephen Young, a conductor and member of the United Transportation Union, stated, "Let `em strike. It would be good for the unions, it needs to be done."

Mary Wilson and Lilly Lewis are coach cleaners and are outraged about Amtrak's management position. Wilson declared, "They're telling people who have been here 20 years `No' who are only making $12.69 per hour." Lewis added, "And they need the sick days, just like we do. If they get them maybe it will help us."

Amtrak worker Margrethe Siem said the yard crew she works on here was greeted by a group of track workers at the yard with, "Hey, will you honor our strike?" The yard crew yelled back, "Sure, we won't work!"

A mechanic asked the yard crew, "Are you ready for next week? We all have to stay out here, we have to stick together."

Ruth Robinett is a member of United Transportation Union Local 1370 at Amtrak.  
 
 
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